Shoot the Breeze

The wind knows no bounds, but does carry unique characteristics depending on its geographic location. In our series "Where You Are," we will discuss wind patterns and the effectiveness of personal wind turbines in regions across the globe.

Situated on the shores of Lake Erie, the Ohio Great Lakes region is an ideal location for wind energy generation. The strong wind that blows feet of snow over the area in the winter can also be harnessed to offset the electricity needed to heat your home during those cold, snowy winter months. Read more »

Though the basic mechanics of the old-fashioned windmill are still present in the engineering of a personal wind turbine, time and technology have created a more efficient and effective machine. In our “How does it work?” series, we will discuss the ins and outs of how wind turns into watts.Read more »

Here on Shoot the Breeze, we’ll keep an eye on the latest news in the wind industry. Each week we will feature the top five stories that have caught our attention.

Removing Barriers for Clean TechnologiesToday's Energy Solutions
A new joint principles document has been created by the Electricity Storage Association (ESA) and the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) to help level the playing field for clean energy technologies. Both organizations advocate for public policies that will remove barriers and increase market access for emerging clean energy technologies such as wind. In the current climate, it has been challenging for clean technologies to compete with established energy sources. Another challenge? Energy storage. Read more »

Each month our customer service staff answers common questions heard across the airwaves.

All Skystream and Whisper systems come with a full five-year warranty, and all AIR systems come with a three-year warranty. Your local dealer or installer can provide maintenance or troubleshooting service. Contact your dealer as a first step. If your dealer is unavailable or cannot resolve the issue, contact Technical Support at (928) 779-9463, or send us a private message with your contact information. Read more »

In our series “In Action," the opportunities and benefits of personal wind turbines are shared through customer testimonials and regional case studies.

One lucky Chevy Volt was driven around Hereford, Texas, producing zero emissions not only from the car itself, but also from the source it was charged on. KPAN Radio, a local Hereford station, was given a week to test-drive a Chevrolet Volt provided by Stevens 5-Star, a local car dealership. Read more »

It’s amazing to think that a breeze on a sunny day can turn into something powerful enough to create electricity to run our homes. What other super powers does wind have? In our series "What can wind do?" we will explore unique ways wind is changing our world.

This 45-foot long, two-ton, wind-interactive codfish sculpture on the Boston waterfront was created by artist David Tonnesen. Legal Sea Foods, a well-known restaurant chain based in Boston, commissioned the artist to create the piece. Not only do the body parts spin, but the eye changes color to indicate wind speed. Read more »

Here on Shoot the Breeze, we’ll keep an eye on the latest news in the wind industry. Each week we will feature the top five stories that have caught our attention.

10 Clean Energy Trends to Watch in 2011 and BeyondFast Company
As the clean energy industry emerges from a challenging period caused by the global economic downturn, it is entering a stage of rapid change in which business models are being transformed against a backdrop of regulatory uncertainty. In several key sectors, the market is shifting back toward business structures and technologies that were once abandoned, but are now being revived. A new white paper from Pike Research identifies 10 key trends that are part of this transformation. The paper, which includes commentary and predictions about the state of the clean energy industry in 2011 and beyond, is available for free download on Pike Research's website. Read more »

In our series “In Action," the opportunities and benefits of personal wind turbines are shared through customer testimonials and regional case studies.

The Joint Expeditionary Base at Little Creek-Fort Story, Va., has three new Skystream 3.7 personal wind turbines standing at attention on the base grounds.

The turbines, installed on Earth Day, are furthering the Navy’s goal of having 50 percent of installations with net zero energy consumption by 2020. Since 2003 the base has reduced its energy consumption by 20 percent.

Two of the turbines will supplement power to maintenance facilities associated with the base’s golf course, while the third will supplement power to the Naval Special Warfare training facility. Read more »

Here on Shoot the Breeze, we’ll keep an eye on the latest news in the wind industry. Each week we will feature the top five stories that have caught our attention.

Industry leaders rely on policy stability to make decisionsSmartBlog on Leadership
Policy instability can affect the decisions of business leaders, regardless of their industry. With energy policy on the forefront in Washington, D.C., businesses want to know the policy landscape ahead so they can make the right choices today. The same is true for associated service businesses, said Wanda Reder, vice president of power-system services at S&C Electric. Read more »